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The AA’s figures are based upon returns to Freedom of Information requests sent to all 45 of Britain’s police forces and a survey of drivers. The survey found that one in five drivers report seeing other motorists using their phones on every journey they take.

In 2016, there were 478 recorded road casualties in Great Britain where a driver using a mobile phone was a contributory factor. The AA has been campaigning to make mobile phone use behind the wheel as socially unacceptable as drink-driving .

Edmund King, AA President, said: “As we mark the one-year anniversary of the introduction of tougher penalties for using a handheld mobile at the wheel, we are pleased to see that drivers are starting to get the message.

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“Some of the change can be attributed to targeted awareness campaigns which, together with high profile cases of the serious and even deadly consequences of driver distraction, has begun to encourage drivers to think twice before picking up their phone.

“It will take time for a wholesale change in attitudes to really take effect. While some have got the message and changed their behaviour, many drivers still believe they won’t get caught.

“But this should be the least of their concerns. Six points and a £200 fine is nothing compared to the consequences of distracted driving – and the penalty for causing an accident would be a lot more severe.”

Mr King continued: “We do however have concerns about the reduction in traffic officers and fear this may have contribute to the fall in FPNs issued.

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“The number of traffic officers has reduced by a third over the past decade. But in order to clamp down on this offence, we want to see more cops in cars enforcing the laws which exist to keep all of us safe on the road.”

Earlier this year, Merseyside Police staged a clamp down as part of its ‘What’s the Cost’ road safety campaign, using an unmarked lorry, transit van and motorbikes to catch offenders. More than 30 people were caught in a single day in January.

Speaking at the time of the clamp down, Merseyside Police Inspector Keith Kellett of Matrix Roads Policing said: “It has been illegal to use a mobile device, held in the hand, whilst driving or stopped with the engine on since December 2003, and this day of action has hopefully reminded drivers of the serious consequences of their actions.

“They are distracted from the road, their attention and reflexes are impaired and this behaviour is just the same as drink and drug driving with catastrophic consequences.

“If you know people who use their phones at the wheel, challenge them, make sure your friends and family do not lose their licence, their job, or cause a serious accident through their behaviour.

“We are committed to reducing the number of deaths on our roads and we will continue to target drivers who recklessly endanger lives.”